NEW DELHI: Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy consolidates power, gains trust of Gandhi family, and leads the party’s electoral strategy effectively.
Telangana Congress chief minister Revanth Reddy is seen to have established himself as a powerful leader in the state and within the Congress unit as well and someone for who is working closely with the party high command. sources suggest that Reddy is becoming a close aide to the Gandhi family.
The primary reason for Revanth’s close association with high command, is the financial stability he brings to the table for the old party. Which makes the high command lean on him for electoral expenses. It is worthy to mention that Congress is currently in power only in two large states such as Karnataka and Telangana. The third state, Himachal Pradesh it is in power in is a smaller one with less financial resources. A senior Congress leader said, “The same was the case with former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot during his rule in Rajasthan. He was very close to the Gandhis. However, during his last phase he spoiled that relationship and Revanth on the other hand is building his relationship with Gandhi’s at a very young age.”
Reddy’s proximity with the Congress’ top leadership has also had him deciding to choose candidates for the 17 Lok Sabha seats. A Congress leader said, “He has been given the complete charge of the state affairs including who should be contesting and who should not. Such an approach from the top has also given him a platform to consolidate his power from the top to the bottom levels of the state.”
Reddy riding on the victory of last year’s assembly elections momentum, is seen to have quickly gained the trust of Gandhis. His ascension, according to party leaders, has also slowed down the progress of other factional camps such as a camp led by Uttam Reddy, which has further led to the shrinking of competing voices in the party. A political analyst said, “When there is a powerful leader at the top, everything starts to fall in place as the other leaders start believing that they cannot take the place of the figurehead so they mellow down and fall in line. The same is happening in the Congress unit of Telangana. Such a scenario plays in favour of the party.”
The Congress camp in the state is sure that the party would be victorious on 12 seats and now the battle for them is to take the tally towards 14 seats in Telangana which they think could happen if the party leaders follow the instructions of the top leadership.
A senior Congress leader from Telangana said, “We are told that we should trust in the leadership. They have done their calculations. We are also told that the leadership has a bigger plan for the state and to make that plan succeed, everyone should comply with the instructions of the leadership. The High command and Revanth Reddy are one voice in this.”
A political analyst said, “Revanth Reddy is a smart politician. When the Congress’s chips were down, he went out and campaigned on the ground enriching the on-ground politics of the party. He eventually earned the CM’s position. Now if the people who are given tickets win, he will establish himself as a leader who is irreplaceable. He will also be seen as a main leader in the national politics of the party.”